Transmission shift control mechanism with park lock

ABSTRACT

The transmission shift control mechanism includes a shift lever with a pushbutton mechanism for releasing a detent mechanism so that the shift lever can be moved from the &#34;Park&#34; position to other operative positions. A shift lever locking mechanism prevents movement of the shift lever from the &#34;Park&#34; position when the ignition lock mechanism is actuated to the &#34;Lock&#34; position and also prevents actuation of the ignition lock mechanism to the &#34;Lock&#34; position when the shift lever is in other than the &#34;Park&#34; position. The locking mechanism includes a pivotal locking lever, such as a bellcrank, having one arm operably connected to the push-pull cable of the vehicle ignition lock mechanism and a locking arm movable to block release of the detent mechanism upon actuation of the ignition lock mechanism to the &#34;Lock&#34; position with the shift lever in &#34;Park&#34;. A locking pin is provided on the base of the shift lever mechanism and is movable along the locking arm of the locking lever to a cooperative position wherein the locking arm can pivot past the locking pin to a locking position upon actuation of the ignition lock mechanism to the &#34;lock&#34; position to prevent movement of the shift lever from &#34;Park&#34;. When the shift lever is out of &#34;Park&#34; after unlocking the ignition mechanism, the locking pin moves to a non-cooperative position to block the locking arm and prevent actuation of the ignition mechanism to the &#34;lock&#34; position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a vehicle transmission shift control mechanismhaving interconnection with the vehicle ignition lock mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The DeVogelaere et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,085 discloses a transmissionshift control mechanism with an ignition lock mechanism on the steeringcolumn. In this system, a bellcrank lever is pivoted on the supportframe of the shifter and has one arm operably connected to the ignitioninterlock cable. The other arm of the lever is connected by a pin andslot with the thumb button-actuated push rod for the detent pawl. Whenthe shift lever is in the "Park" position, the detent pushbuttonmovement allows the push rod to be lifted and the bellcrank lever topivot to a position permitting movement of the ignition interlock cableto the "Lock" position. Once the ignition lock mechanism is locked, theignition interlock cable prevents the bellcrank lever from pivoting andthe pin and slot connection between the bellcrank and push rod blocksthe detent from being released from the "Park" position. Therefore, theshift lever cannot be moved from the "Park" position when the ignitionlock mechanism is locked.

The Kimberlin U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,404 discloses a transmission shiftcontrol interlock system in which a locking pawl engages a stationarylatch when the shift lever in the "Park" position is forcibly moved by asmall amount. The locking pawl is pivotally mounted on the shift leverbracket and is cam actuated by slight movement of the shift lever. Thelocking pawl is pivotally mounted on the base of the shift controlmechanism and is connected with the steering column lock cable. Asimilar arrangement is shown in the Osborn U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,112.

The Kimberlin U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,571 discloses a transmission shiftcontrol mechanism in which the steering column cable is connectedthrough a leaf spring to the shift lever bracket. When the steeringcolumn is locked, any movement of the shift lever results in flexing ofthe spring and thus no movement is transmitted to the transmissioncable.

The Simancik et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,123 discloses atransmission/ignition interlock system including a push/pull operatorcable. The interlock mechanism includes a transmission lock whichprevents the transmission linkage from being moved out of the "Park"position until the ignition switch is moved out of the "Lock" position.The interlock mechanism also prevents the ignition switch from beingmoved into the "Lock" position unless the transmission is in the "Park"position. The transmission lock includes a bellcrank having an armoperably connected to the cable of the ignition lock mechanism andanother end attached to a pawl. The pawl is slidably mounted on asupport frame and is movable by the bellcrank to a lock positionrelative to a stop plate on the detent releasing mechanism when theshift lever is in the "Park" position and the ignition lock mechanism isactuated or locked to prevent movement of the shift lever out of the"Park" position when the ignition lock mechanism is actuated. When thedetent releasing shaft is depressed to move the shift lever from the"Park" position, the stop plate is moved to a position where it cannotbe engaged by the pawl and prevents movement of the pawl should thedriver attempt to lock the ignition lock mechanism. As a result, theignition lock mechanism cannot be actuated by the driver when the shiftlever is in a position other than "Park".

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention contemplates an improved vehicle transmission shiftcontrol mechanism having a novel locking mechanism for preventingmovement of the shift lever from the "Park" position when the vehicleignition lock mechanism is in the "Lock" position.

The invention also contemplates an improved transmission shift controlmechanism of the type disclosed in the preceding paragraph wherein thelocking mechanism prevents actuation of the vehicle ignition lockmechanism to the "Lock" position when the shift lever is not in the"Park" position.

In accordance with a typical working embodiment of the invention, thetransmission shift control mechanism includes a shift lever meanspivotal on a support base or frame between a "Park" position and otheroperative positions such as drive, reverse, neutral, etc. The shiftlever means is selectively retained in one of these positions by adetent mechanism which releasably couples the shift lever means andsupport base. Preferably, the detent mechanism releasably couples theshift lever means and a detent cam plate attached on the support base.The detent mechanism is released out of coupling relation between thedetent cam plate and shift lever means to free the shift lever forrepositioning.

A locking mechanism is provided for preventing movement of the shiftlever means from the "Park" position when the vehicle ignition lockmechanism is actuated to the "Lock" position and for preventing suchactuation of the vehicle ignition lock mechanism when the shift levermeans is in an operative position other than the "Park" position.

The locking mechanism includes a locking lever pivotally disposed on thesupport base, preferably on the detent cam plate, and is operablyconnected to the vehicle ignition lock mechanism for pivotal movement toa locking position relative to the detent means to prevent releasethereof when the ignition lock mechanism is actuated to the "Lock"position with the shift lever means in the "Park" position.

The locking mechanism also includes a locking member such as for exampleas an elongate locking pin on the shift lever means, preferably on theshift lever support base or frame, for movement therewith along thelocking lever to a cooperative position when the shift lever means isplaced in the "Park" position. In the cooperative position, the lockinglever can pivot relative to the locking member to the locking positionupon actuation of the ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock" position toblock movement of the detent means. The locking member is also movablealong the locking lever to a non-cooperative position therewith when theshift lever is in positions other than the "Park" position. In thenon-cooperative position, the locking member prevents pivoting of thelocking lever to the locking position and thus prevents actuation of thevehicle ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock" position unless the shiftlever means is in the "Park" position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking lever includesone arm operably connected to the cable of the vehicle ignition lockmechanism, a locking arm movable to the locking position to blockrelease or disengagement of the detent means when the shift lever is inthe "Park" position and a pivot between the arms. Preferably, thelocking arm includes a cam slot in which the locking member movesbetween the cooperative and non-cooperative positions. The lockingmember moves toward the pivot to the cooperative position when the shiftlever is placed in the "Park" position and away from the pivot to thenon-cooperative position when the shift lever is moved to a positionother than the "Park" position. When the ignition lock mechanism isactuated to the "Lock" position with the shift lever in the "Park"position, the locking lever can pivot past the locking member by virtueof a special configuration of the cam slot. When the shift lever is notin the "Park" position, the locking member is positioned in the cam slotto prevent pivoting of the locking lever in the event the driverattempts to actuate the ignition lock mechanism.

The locking member preferably is disposed on a carrier plate connectedto and moveable with the shift lever with the locking member extendingbetween the carrier plate and the locking lever.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a transmission shiftcontrol mechanism requiring no adjustment upon assembly in the vehiclewith the ignition lock mechanism is provided by using the pivot axis ofthe locking lever on the detent plate as the main gage or referencepoint of certain components of the mechanism and a novel geometry forthe locking lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transmission shift control mechanismof the invention and includes diagrammatic representations of a vehicletransmission and vehicle steering column inter-connected therewith.

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the transmission shift control mechanism withthe shift lever shown (in solid) in a drive position and (in phantom) inthe unlocked orientation in "Park" position.

FIG. 3 is a similar view as FIG. 2 with the shift lever shown in the"Park" position and the locking lever shown in a locked position (inphantom) and an unlocked position (in solid).

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the transmission shift control mechanism ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the detent mechanism between the shiftlever and detent plate.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the handle of the shift lever showing thedetent actuating shaft and pushbutton.

FIG. 8 is a view taken along lines 8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention withsome features broken away.

FIG. 10 is an elevation of FIG. 9 showing different operative positionsof the locking lever.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of theinvention with some features broken away.

cl BEST MODE FOR PRACTICING THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a transmission shift control mechanism 10 isshown including a support base or frame 12 adapted to be secured to avehicle body member such as a floor pan member 14 by a plurality offasteners 16 (only one shown) extending through holes 18 in the base 12.

The base or frame includes a well 20 having a stationary pivot shaft 21mounted therein. Shaft 21 is held fixed in well 20 by enlarged head 21aon one shaft end and a retaining ring (not shown) on the opposite shaftend. An inverted U-shaped shift lever carrier frame or member 26includes spaced apart depending side walls 26a, 26b pivotably mounted onthe shaft 21 by bushings 27. Depending side walls 26a, 26b are connectedby lateral wall 26c and depending rear wall 26e. Lateral wall 26c ofcarrier member 26 has attached thereto as by welding a hollow upstandingshift lever 28. Carrier member 26 includes a bottom flange 26d extendingfrom rear wall 26e and to which the lower end of shift lever 28 isattached as by welding.

Received for sliding movement in the shift lever 28 is an actuator rod30, FIGS. 5 and 7. The actuator rod extends into handle 32 where nose30a of the actuator rod is positioned in a recess 42a in a pushbuttonshaft 42 slidably received in the handle for movement perpendicular tothe rod 30. Handle 32 includes a recess 32a receiving a flange 33 onshift lever 2 in snap-fit engagement to retain the handle thereon.

Recess 42a includes cam surface 44 that forces the actuator roddownwardly in the shift lever when the pushbutton 46 is pressed towardthe handle by the driver. A coil return spring 50 is disposed aroundpushbutton shaft 42 and biases the pushbutton and pushbutton shaft awayfrom the handle in known fashion when manual pressure on the pushbuttonis released.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the opposite end of actuator rod 30 includes adepending nose 52 that engages spring biased pawl member or detentengaging member 54 pivotably mounted between side walls 26a, 26b oncarrier member 26. In particular, pawl member 54 includes slotted end 56pivotably mounted in a slot 57 in side wall 26b.

A spacer 60 is provided and has a cylindrical hub 64 on which a coilspring 68 is received and positioned. Spacer 60 is attached in a slot 63in side wall 26b. One end 70 of the coil spring abuts against thecarrier member, FIG. 5, and the other end 72 engages the pawl member 54to bias it upwardly. As shown in FIG. 5, the pawl member extends througha cross-slot 76 in the shift lever and extends under the actuator rod.End 80 of the pawl member extends through a slot 82 in side wall 26a ofcarrier member 26 and terminates in pawl 84.

Pawl 84 is adapted to releasably couple the shift lever, which includesshift lever carrier member 26, to a detent cam plate 90 fastened instationary position on support base 12 as shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2.In particular, detent plate 90 is secured to upstanding posts 92 on thesupport base by rivets 94.

Detent cam plate 90 includes a plurality of notches or slots 96 intowhich pawl 84 can be releasably coupled or engaged to place and retainthe shift lever in the "Park" position P, neutral position N, and driveposition D, and further includes stop surfaces 97 for positioning andretaining pawl 84 in a reverse position R and drive two position D2 anddrive one position D1 in known manner.

To reposition the shift lever, the driver depresses pushbutton 46 towardhandle 32 and pivots the shift lever to the desired operative positionP, R, N, D, 2, 1. Depressing the pushbutton causes actuator rod 30 torelease or decouple pawl 84 downwardly out of engagement with the detentplate 90. When the shift lever is in the desired operative position, thedriver releases the pushbutton and spring 68 biases the pawl upwardlyagainst and coupling with the detent plate to retain the shift lever atthe selected operative position P, R, N, D, 2, or 1.

The manually operable detent means thus includes the spring biased pawl,detent cam plate and actuator rod and associated components in the shiftlever.

During such pivotable movement of shift lever 28, a stud 100 affixed oncarrier member 26 actuates a known push-pull cable C1 extending to aconventional shifter valve 102 on automatic transmission 104 to placethe transmission in the desired operational mode corresponding to theshift lever position P, R, N, D, 2, or 1. Stud 100 pivots with carriermember 26 since both are connected to the shift lever. Cable C1 isattached to stud 100 and passes through fitting 103 attached onextension 105 of base frame 12.

Pivotally mounted on detent plate 90 is a locking lever in the form ofbellcrank 110. Bellcrank 110 is pivotably mounted on pivot shaft 112affixed at one end to detent plate 90. A retaining ring 114 is mountedon the outbound end of pivot shaft 112.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that bellcrank 110 can bepivotally mounted side-by-side adjacent detent plate 90 from otherportions of base frame 12. The invention is not limited to mountingbellcrank 110 on the detent plate, although this is preferred toeliminate tolerances associated with other portions of the base frame;e.g., riveting, welding and other tolerances associated with fabricatingthe base frame.

Bellcrank 110 includes a first arm 120 operably connected to a push-pulllock cable C2 extending to ignition lock mechanism 122 on the vehiclesteering column 124. Cable C2 extends through a slot 126 in arm 120 andis fastened to short rod 128 (or other suitably shaped member) held inthe cradle formed by curvilinear arm 120. The outer conduit 127 ofpush-pull cable C2 includes an integral elongated end or arm extendingto pivot 112 and having gage hole 127a receiving pivot 112 in apreferred embodiment. The base 127b of the integral end is fastened tosupport base 12. Short rod 128 is preset during manufacturing with gagehole 127a to control tolerance stack-up within the cable assembly. Theinvention is not limited to mounting the outer cable conduit on pivot112, however.

The axis of pivot 112 on detent plate 90 is used as the primary gage orreference point relative to which significant dimensions of suchcomponents of the transmission shift control mechanism as the ignitionlock mechanism (including cable C2), locking mechanism (locking lever110 and locking member 134), shift lever mechanism (shift lever 28 andcarrier member 26 and profile of slots 96 and stop surfaces 97 on thedetent cam plate 92) are taken. Use of the pivot axis as the gage orreference point for dimensioning these other components together withthe geometry of the locking lever and beneficial stacking of tolerancesfor these components substantially eliminates any need for adjustment ofthe components of the shift control mechanism 10 after assembly in thevehicle with the ignition lock mechanism 122 on the steering column.

Ignition lock mechanism 122 can be a conventional steering columnlocking mechanism currently used for automotive vehicles such as for theFord Escort and Topaz automobiles. As is well known, these mechanismsprevent rotation of the steering wheel and hold the cable C2 of theignition lock mechanism stationary when actuated to the "Lock" positionor mode by turning the ignition key to that position or mode on thesteering column. Illustrative of a steering column ignition lockmechanism is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,490 to Kimberlin et alissued Mar. 14, 1972.

Bellcrank 110 also includes an elongate second locking arm 130 extendingside-by-side adjacent detent plate 90. Second arm 130 includes aspecially configured cam slot 132 adapted to receive a locking member inthe form of elongate locking cam pin 134 extending from carrier member26. Locking cam pin or member 134 has an inboard end 136 affixed on sidewall 26a of the carrier plate and an outboard end 138 that is receivedand rides in cam slot 132. Locking pin or member 134 moves in an arcuate(circular arc) path since it is attached to the carrier member formovement therewith about the pivot axis defined by shaft 21.

Cam slot 132 includes a first circular arc portion 140 and a secondcircular arc portion 142. The center of circular arc portion 140corresponds to pivot axis of shift lever 28 on shaft 21 whereas thecenter of circular arc portion 142 is on the opposite side of thebellcrank and corresponds to the pivot axis o the bellcrank 110.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that portion 142 of cam slot132 may have a configuration other than a circular arc so long as thelocking lever can pivot past locking pin 134 in response to actuation ofthe ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock" position with the shift leverin the "Park" position as will be explained.

In operation when shift lever 28 is moved among operative positions R,N, D, 2 and 1 with the ignition lock mechanism unlocked and pawl 184depressed out of engagement with the detent plate 90, locking pin ormember 134 will move in a circular arc path in first circular arcportion 140 of the bellcrank slot. Bellcrank 110 thus will not bepivoted substantially by the locking cam pin 134 during such movement.The position of pin 134 in cam slot 132 when shift lever 28 is indifferent drive positions is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Movement of the shift lever 28 from the drive position D (or otheroperative positions) toward the "Park" position P causes locking pin 134to travel forward in cam slot 132 to the position shown in phantom inFIG. 2. Locking pin 134 is placed in proximity to the juncture of thefirst circular arc portion 140 and second circular arc portion 142 whenthe shift lever is positioned at the "Park" position.

Pawl 84 is shown in solid in FIG. 2 in the depressed position A justafter movement of the shift lever to the "Park" position. Pawl 84 isshown in phantom in FIG. 2 in the releasably coupled or engaged positionB with the detent plate 90 after pushbutton 46 is released by the driverand prior to the drivers actuating the ignition lock mechanism to the"Lock" position by rotating the ignition key on the steering column.Thus, bellcrank 110 still has not been pivoted.

Once the driver actuates the ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock"position by turning the ignition key in known fashion, cable C2 willexert a pull on arm 120 to pivot bellcrank from the position L1 shown inFIG. 3 to the raised locking position L2 where elongate arm 130 is inblocking or locking relation to pawl 84 disposed in the "Park" slot inthe detent plate 90.

Since lock cable C2 is held stationary and maintains a pull on arm 120as long as the ignition lock mechanism is actuated to the "Lock"position, bellcrank 110 is held in the pivoted position L2 (lockingposition) of FIG. 3 with elongate arm 130 preventing movement of pawl 84from the "Park" slot on the detent plate by the driver's depressingpushbutton 46. Thus, in the pivoted locking position, locking arm 130prevents the driver from moving the shift lever 28 from the "Park"position when the ignition lock mechanism is actuated to the "Lock"position as mentioned above.

During pivoting of bellcrank 110 to the locking position of FIG. 3,locking pin 134 remains stationary while arm 130 moves therepast incooperative manner. Second circular arc portion 142 is configured tocooperate with pin 134 to allow such pivoting of the bellcrank relativeto locking pin 134 in response to actuation of the ignition lockmechanism to the "Lock" position when the shift lever is positioned inthe "Park" position. Thus, locking pin 134 and bellcrank 110 are incooperative position when the locking pin is received in the secondcircular arc portion 142; i.e., when the shift lever is in the "Park"position.

When the driver unlocks the ignition lock mechanism by turning theignition key, the lock cable C2 will slidably extend to the left (solidposition) in FIG. 3 to allow counterclockwise pivoting of the bellcrank110 about its pivot to the position L1 shown in FIG. 3. Locking pin 134will still remain stationary and arm 130 will pivot by gravity past thelocking pin as permitted by circular arc portion 142.

The driver can now depress pushbutton 46 to release pawl 84 for movementof the shift lever to one of the other operative shift lever positionsR, N, D, 1 or 2. Locking pin 134 will move with the shift lever andcarrier member 26 in a circular arc path in first circular arc portion140 of cam slot 132.

During operation with the shift lever in a position other than the"Park" position, the locking pin 134 and first circular arc portion 140of cam slot 132 are non-cooperatively positioned to prevent pivoting ofthe bellcrank 110 in response to actuation of the ignition lockmechanism to the "Lock" position by the driver. Locking pin 134 is heldfixed by pawl 84 coupling carrier member 26 to the detent plate 90 sothat arm 130 cannot move substantially if the driver attempts to lockthe ignition lock mechanism. Thus, bellcrank 110 and locking pin 134prevent actuation of the ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock" positionwhen the shift lever is in a position other than the "Park" position.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate another embodiment of the invention having alocking mechanism configured somewhat differently from that disclosedabove and further having the shift lever pivotable about an imaginarypivot axis to reduce the vertical dimension of the shift controlmechanism. In FIGS. 9-10, like features of previous Figures arerepresented by like reference numerals primed. In FIGS. 9-10 , the shiftlever 28, is attached to and movable with an inverted U-shaped shiftlever carrier member 26'. Shift lever carrier member 26' is movablydisposed on arcuate tracks 150' formed in side walls 152',154' ofhousing 160'. Tracks 150' are in the form of circular arc tracks thatextend about centers on a common axis A forming an imaginary pivot axisfor carrier member 26' and the shift lever thereon. Side walls 26a',26b'of the carrier member each include a pair of spaced apart tubularwheels 156' (only one shown) on a respective axle 158' (only one shown)extending outwardly from the side walls. Wheels 156' travel along tracks150' when the shift lever is moved to operative positions.

Bellcrank 110' is pivotably disposed on depending leg 153' of detentplate 90' and includes a first arm 120' operably connected to push-pullcable C2' and a second elongate locking arm 130', adjacent detent plate90' and having a curvilinear surface 130a ' and a recess-definingsurface 130b'.

A locking member 160, is carried on carrier member 26', for movementtherewith. Locking member 160', is coaxial with an axle on side wall26b'. In particular, cylindrical extension 158a' of the axle extendsinwardly of side wall 26b' and tubular locking cam member 160' issecured on the extension by retainer ring 161'.

When the shift lever is placed in the "Park" position, FIG. 10, thelocking lever is initially in the lower position L1' shown. When theignition lock mechanism is actuated to the "Lock" position, cable C2'pulls arm 120' forward and the locking lever is pivoted counterclockwiseto the raised locking position L2' shown in FIG. 10 to block pawl 84'.Pawl 84' is in the upward position to engage detent plate 90'. With theshift lever in the "Park" position, locking member 160' is disposed inthe recess defined by surface 130b' in a cooperative position with thelocking lever such that the locking lever can pivot to the raisedlocking position L2' shown in FIG. 10.

When the shift lever is placed in other than the "Park" position withthe ignition lock mechanism released from the "Lock" position and withpawl 84' depressed to the lower released position by actuation ofactuator rod 30', locking member 160' moves along second locking arm130'in overlying relation thereto to a non-cooperative position toprevent pivoting of the locking arm 130' in the event the driverattempts to actuate the ignition lock mechanism when the shift lever isnot in "Park" position.

In other respects, operation of the transmission shift control mechanismof FIGS. 9-11 and attendant advantages are similar to those of theembodiment of FIGS. 1-8.

FIG. 11 illustrates still another embodiment of the inventionincorporating the low profile shift control mechanism of FIGS. 9-10 anda locking mechanism similar to FIGS. 1-8. In FIG. 11, features that arelike or similar to features of FIGS. 1-10 are represented by likereference numerals double primed.

In FIG. 11, shift lever 28" is attached to and movable with invertedU-shaped shift lever carrier member 26". Carrier member 26" includestubular Wheels 156" (two shown) on axles 158" with wheels 156" riding inarcuate tracks 150" as in the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10. Axles 158" arein the form of bolts threaded into walls 26a", 26b" and have a smoothintermediate shank on which the wheels are rotatably disposed.

Bellcrank 110" is configured similar to that of FIGS. 1-8 and includes afirst arm 120" operably connected to push-pull cable C2" and a secondlocking arm 130" having arcuate cam slot 132". Locking pin 134" extendsfrom side wall 26b" of the shift lever carrier member 26" into the camslot for movement therein between the aforesaid cooperative andnon-cooperative positions with the bellcrank. In particular, cam slot132" includes arcuate portion 140" and enlarged arcuate portion 143"into which locking pin 134" moves to a respective non-cooperativeposition (in portion 140") and a cooperative position (in portion 143")with the bellcrank.

Bellcrank 110" is pivotally disposed on detent plate 90" as in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-8.

Operation of the transmission shift control mechanism of FIG. 11 is likethat of previously described embodiments of FIGS. 1-10 with the samefeatures or components functioning in the same general way.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-11, the cable C2 (C2', C2") can be springbiased to exert a pull on first arm 120 (120', 120") at all times. Forexample, the end of cable C2 extending to the ignition lock mechanism122 may include a suitable spring (not shown) thereon to bias cable C2to exert a pull on the first arm at all times so as to positionbellcrank 110 (110'110") in the raised position L2 (L2') whenever theshift lever is in "Park". When the shift lever is in the "Park" positionwith the ignition lock mechanism actuated to the "Lock" position andwith the cable C2 (C2', C2") so biased, the second arm 130 (130', 130")of the bellcrank will be held and biased against the pawl 84 (84', 84")to prevent the driver from moving the shift lever out of the "Park"position.

To move the shift lever from the "Park" position, the driver unlocks theignition lock mechanism and actuates the shift lever pushbutton todepress pawl 84 (84', 84") Depression of the pawl (e.g. pawl 84 in FIG.2) will cause the pawl to engage the bellcrank locking arm 130 (atsurface 141 in FIG. 2) to pivot the bellcrank to the lower position (L1in FIG. 2). When the shift lever is then pivoted to another position,locking pin 134 will move along the locking arm to a non-cooperativeposition with the locking arm biased against the locking pin and thelocking pin will prevent pivoting of the bellcrank and thus actuation ofthe ignition lock mechanism when the shift lever is not in "Park"

Upon return of the shift lever to the "Park" position and release of theshift lever pushbutton to allow the pawl to engage the "Park" slot ondetent plate 90, the bellcrank will be biased to the raised lockingposition by virtue of sping bias on cable C2. Actuation of the ignitionlock mechanism to the "Lock" position will then hold the cablesubstantially stationary such that the bellcrank blocks any attempt todepress the pawl.

Spring biasing of cable C2 (C2', C2") is advantageous to preventrattling or other unwanted movement between the bellcrank when engagedwith the pawl and locking pin.

While the invention has been described in terms of specific embodimentsthereof, it is not intended to be limited thereto but rather only to theextent set forth hereafter in the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A transmission shift control mechanism for a vehiclehaving an ignition lock mechanism with a "Lock" position, comprising:asupport base for securing to a vehicle, a shift lever means disposed onthe support base for pivotal movement among a "Park" position and otheroperative positions including a "drive" position and a "reverse"position, detent means for releasably coupling the shift lever means andsupport base to selectively retain said shift lever means in one of said"Park" position or other operative positions and for permitting, whenactuated to decouple the shift lever means,. repositioning of said shiftlever means, and a locking mechanism including a locking lever pivotallydisposed on the support base and operably connected to the ignition lockmechanism for pivotal movement relative to the detent means to a lockingposition to prevent actuation of the detent means when the ignition lockmechanism is actuated to the "Lock" position with the shift lever meansin the "Park" position, said locking lever having an arcuate surfacealong its length, and a locking member disposed on the shift lever meansfor movement in an arcuate path in engagement with the arcuate surfaceof said locking lever to a cooperative position with said locking leverwhen the shift lever means is positioned in the "Park" position where,at said cooperative position, the locking lever can pivot relative tothe locking member to said locking position without disengagingtherefrom upon actuation of the ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock"position and to a non-cooperative position therewith when the shiftlever means is positioned in said other positions where, at saidnon-cooperative position, the locking member prevents pivoting of saidlocking lever,whereby the locking mechanism prevents movement of theshift lever means from the "Park" position when the ignition lockmechanism is actuated to the "Lock" position and prevents actuation ofthe ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock" position when the shift levermeans is in said other operative positions.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1wherein the support base has a detent cam plate thereon and said detentmeans releasably couples the shift lever to the detent cam plate.
 3. Themechanism of claim 2 wherein the locking lever is pivotally disposed onthe detent cam plate.
 4. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the lockinglever includes an arm operably connected to said ignition lock assemblyand an opposite locking arm along which said locking member moves. 5.The mechanism of claim 4 wherein the locking lever includes a pivotbetween said arms.
 6. The mechanism of claim 4 wherein the locking armincludes an arcuate cam slot in which the locking member is received andmoves between the cooperative and non-cooperative positions.
 7. Themechanism of claim 6 wherein the cam slot is configured to permit thelocking member to move in an arcuate path away from the pivot to anon-cooperative position when the shift lever is moved from the "Park"position to said other positions.
 8. The mechanism of claim 7 whereinthe cam slot is configured to permit the locking lever to pivot past thelocking member to said locking position with said locking memberremaining in said cam slot when the locking member and locking lever areat the cooperative position.
 9. The mechanism of claim 8 wherein the camslot includes a circular arc portion in which the locking member moves.10. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the locking member is disposed on acarrier member connected to the shift lever means and moves in anarcuate path therewith.
 11. The mechanism of claim 10 wherein the detentmeans is disposed on the carrier member.
 12. The mechanism of claim 10wherein locking member moves in a circular arc path as the shift leveris pivoted.
 13. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the locking membercomprises an elongate pin member extending between the carrier memberand locking lever.
 14. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the detent meansincludes a manually operable pushbutton on the shift lever means torelease the detent means.
 15. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein thesupport base includes arcuate track means extending about an imaginarypivot axis below said support base and the shift lever means is movablydisposed on the track means for said pivotal movement about saidimaginary pivot axis.
 16. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said lockinglever engages against said detent means when said locking lever is insaid locking position.
 17. A transmission shift control mechanism for avehicle having an ignition lock mechanism with a "Lock" positioncomprising:a support base for securing to a vehicle, a shift lever meansdisposed on the support base for pivotal movement among a "Park"position and other operative positions including a "drive" position anda "reverse" position, detent means for releasably coupling the shiftlever means and support base to selectively retain said shift levermeans in one of said "Park" position or other operative positions andfor permitting, when actuated to decouple the shift lever means,repositioning of said shift lever means, and a locking mechanismincluding a locking lever pivotally disposed on the base, said lockinglever having one arm operably connected to the ignition lock mechanismfor pivoting the locking lever, another arm having an arcuate slot andmovable relative to the detent means to a locking position to preventactuation of the detent means and decoupling of the shift lever meanswhen the ignition lock mechanism is actuated to the "Lock" position withthe shift lever means in the "Park" position and having a pivot betweensaid arms, and further including a locking member disposed on the shiftlever means and received in the slot for movement in an arcuate path insaid slot to a cooperative position with the locking lever when theshift lever means is positioned in the "Park" position where, at saidcooperative position, locking lever can pivot relative to the lockingmember to said locking position with said locking member remaining insaid slot upon actuation of the ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock"position and to a non-cooperative position with the locking lever whenthe shift lever means is positioned in said other positions where, atsaid non-cooperative position, the locking member prevents pivoting ofsaid locking lever,whereby the locking mechanism prevents movement ofthe shift lever means from the "Park" position when the ignition lockmechanism is actuated to the "Lock" position and prevents actuation ofthe ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock" position when the shift levermeans is in said other operative positions.
 18. The mechanism of claim17 wherein the slot has a first circular arc portion in which thelocking member moves when the shift lever means is positioned in saidother positions and a second portion into which the locking member moveswhen the shift lever means is positioned at the "Park" position, saidsecond portion being configured to permit pivoting of the locking levertherepast with said locking member remaining in said second portion. 19.The mechanism of claim 17 wherein the support base includes arcuatetrack means extending about an imaginary pivot axis below said supportbase and the shift lever means is movably disposed on the track meansfor said pivotal movement about said imaginary pivot axis.
 20. Themechanism of claim 17 wherein said locking lever engages against saiddetent means when said locking lever is in said locking position.
 21. Atransmission shift control mechanism for a vehicle having an ignitionlock mechanism with a "Lock" position comprising:a support base forsecuring to a vehicle, a shift lever means pivotally disposed on thesupport base for pivotal movement among a "Park" position and otheroperative positions including a "drive" position and a "reverse"position, a detent plate secured on the support base, a detent means foroperably coupling the shift lever means and detent plate when engagedtherebetween to selectively retain said shift lever means in one of said"Park" position or other operative positions and movable out ofengagement to permit repositioning of the shift lever means, and alocking mechanism including a locking lever pivotally disposed on thedetent plate, said locking lever having one arm operably connected tothe ignition lock mechanism for pivoting the locking lever, another armhaving an arcuate slot and movable relative to the detent means to alocking position to prevent disengagement of the detent means when theignition lock mechanism is actuated to the "Lock" position with theshift lever means in the "Park" position and having a pivot between saidarms, and further including a pivot between said arms, and furtherincluding a locking member received in the slot and disposed on theshift lever means for movement in an arcuate path in said slot to acooperative position with the locking lever when the shift lever meansis positioned in the "Park" position where, at said cooperativeposition, the locking lever can pivot relative to the locking member anddetent means to said locking position with said locking member remainingin said slot upon actuation of the ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock"position and to a non-cooperative position with the locking lever whenthe shift lever means is positioned in said other positions where, atsaid non-cooperative position, the locking member prevents pivoting ofsaid locking lever,whereby the locking mechanism prevents movement ofthe shift lever means from the "Park" position when the ignition lockmechanism is actuated to the "Lock" position and prevents actuation ofthe ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock" position when the shift levermeans is in said other operative positions.
 22. The mechanism of claim21 wherein the support base includes arcuate track means extending aboutan imaginary pivot axis below said support base and the shift levermeans is movably disposed on the track means for said pivotal movementabout said imaginary pivot axis.
 23. The mechanism of claim 24 whereinsaid locking lever engages against said detent means when said lockinglever is in said locking position.